Seidy Hernández Wins the 22nd Chinese Bridge World University Competition 2023
By: Rodrigo Martínez
Photos: Silvia Elena Mora
San José, Costa Rica - On June 16th, the 22nd Chinese Bridge competition for foreign university students in the Costa Rica division was held at the University of Costa Rica. A total of 8 contestants from across the country participated in the competition. Additionally, the Dragon Boat competition with 8 participants was held, a contest developed to expand participation in Chinese culture and arts among the non-university population.
The competition was organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Costa Rica, and the Confucius Institute of the University of Costa Rica.
Chinese Bridge University
This year's theme was "One World, One Family." The competition had two parts: a speech in Chinese and a performance of Chinese artistic talents. The contestants shared their heartfelt stories in fluent Chinese and demonstrated their love for Chinese culture with wonderful artistic performances.
Tang Heng, ambassador of the People's Republic of China Embassy in Costa Rica, said: "Chinese culture always strives to inherit ancestral cultures and assimilate the strengths of other cultures. Promoting language education and forming linguistic talents play a fundamental role in deepening friendship, mutual understanding, and substantial cooperation among the peoples of the world."
The first place was awarded to Seidy Hernández, an Industrial Engineering student at UCR, who will participate in the International "Chinese Bridge 2023" Competition to be held in China in person, organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) and scheduled for September (exact date and city to be confirmed). Additionally, she receives a scholarship for one academic semester to study Mandarin at a prestigious university in China. From the Confucius Institute, she receives a 100% scholarship to continue Mandarin courses at IC-UCR until she completes all levels, i.e., AV5. The second place went to Sofía González Guzmán and the third place with an honorable mention to Juan Carlos Borbón Vega.
Kuok Wa Chao Chao, director of the UCR Confucius Institute, mentioned: "This year the Confucius Institute of the University of Costa Rica celebrates 15 years since its creation. In line with its mission to spread and promote Chinese language and culture, we have always sought ways to build bridges between the Chinese and Costa Rican communities with a wide range of activities, from open courses to the general public to congresses, aiming to bring Costa Rican society closer to China."
Dragon Boat
The Dragon Boat contest is aimed at people over 18 years old, where contestants can demonstrate their knowledge of the Chinese language and culture in the categories of live speech with a 2-minute duration or a pre-recorded presentation of Chinese cultural arts lasting 3 minutes.
The first place in the speech category went to Saray Ramírez Brenes. The second place in the speech category went to Jordan Alonso Campos Reyes. Meanwhile, the first place in the cultural activity category went to Michelle Wieja. The second place in the cultural activity category was awarded to Nicole Daniela Gamboa Garita.
Additionally, the special Costa Rica Nihao! Public Vote Award was given to Mayron Antonio Martínez López.
For Allen Quesada Pacheco, director of the UCR School of Modern Languages: "The Chinese Bridge University Competition is extremely important for the university's projection and internationalization, to strengthen bonds of friendship between peoples."
It is reminded that the Confucius Institute (IC-UCR) is a public institution formed by the University of Costa Rica, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), and the China Foundation for International Education (CIEF), in collaboration with Renmin University of China (RUC). Its main focuses are the dissemination of the Mandarin language and Chinese culture; in addition, social action is also a fundamental part of the Institute's work.
Contact for more information: Rodrigo Martínez
Communication Officer, Confucius Institute
Email: comunicacion.confucio@ucr.ac.cr
Website: http://institutoconfucio.ucr.ac.cr/
Phone: 2511-6870
